Discrepancies in the assessment of axial spondyloarthritis between patients and rheumatologists: what does this mean?
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By
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Daniel Wendling
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Olivier Fakih
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Frank Verhoeven
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Clément Prati
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May 23, 2026
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Objective:
To explore discrepancies in disease activity assessment between patients and rheumatologists in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Key Findings:
- Significant discrepancies in VAS scores were noted, with patients generally reporting higher scores than rheumatologists.
- Factors such as pain, education level, and ongoing biological treatment were associated with discordance in assessments.
- Women reported higher BASDAI scores and had a higher frequency of discrepancies compared to men.
- Obesity was linked to higher disease activity scores in axSpA patients.
- Depression and low socioeconomic status were associated with increased disease activity scores.
Interpretation:
Discrepancies between patient and rheumatologist assessments in axSpA are common.
Limitations:
- The studies reviewed may have varying methodologies and sample sizes, which could affect the generalizability of findings.
- The reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias in patient assessments.
Conclusion:
Understanding the factors influencing discrepancies in disease activity assessments is important.
